Work on Wales' biggest shopping centre will begin in less than 18 months time.

And today the Echo can exclusively reveal that the #535m St David's 2 which will include:

- Up to 150 new stores.

- A major revamp of existing the St David's Centre.

- An extension to Debenhams.

- More than #26m for public areas.

The developers have said top international retailers are being lined up for the development that will transform the heart of Cardiff city centre.

Work on the St David's 2 development, which will create a new quarter - headed by the John Lewis department store, new streets and public squares - will start in spring next year and is expected to take three years.

More than #26m has been earmarked to create four major public areas, offering the possibility of water features and public art as well as space for performing arts and open-air exhibitions, events and outdoor seating.

The scheme's final design proposes a new central arcade running from Hills Street through to Bute Terrace, with a series of cross-routes running in a west-east direction.

Up to 150 shops will be housed in the new complex - THREE times the number in the existing St David's centre.

The anchor John Lewis store will feature a three-storey glass-fronted section, allowing customers to dine and shop while overlooking a newly created square below.

And the Echo can reveal the present St David's complex will be refurbished to tie in with the new development and department chain Debenhams is planning to expand its existing store.

Peter Cleary, of the St David's Partnership, said: 'We will be working between now and this time next year to pre-let units that will include bringing new names to Cardiff and we would expect to be able to announce some names by the end of this year.'

James Uttings, of architects Benoy, said: 'The central arcade will have much of the atmosphere and character of Cardiff's Edwardian and Victorian arcades but on a grander scale.

'Along with the public spaces, they will have a contemporary urban feel with many influences from Europe as well as from Cardiff's past - you will certainly know that you are walking around the capital city of Wales.'

A specially-built model of the proposed development, together with details of the scheme, will be veiled at the former Bo Concept store, in The Hayes, on April 6.

Project will take three years

Construction is due to start in spring next year and be completed in three years.

Retail, residential and other space will cover almost one million sq ft

It will include a John Lewis department store PLUS up to 150 other shops, including:

* Cafes, restaurants and bars.

* 300 new homes.

* New public areas.

* New civic library of 55,000 sq ft

* 3,000 car park spaces.

The project will create:

* More than 1,000 construction jobs.

* 2,000 permanent jobs on completion.

Architects are Benoy, designers of the Bullring in Birmingham and schemes in Lisbon, Kiev and Hong Kong.

Building Design Partnership, the firm responsible for the Glasgow Science Centre, is designing the new library.